Goa under green cover, says Forest Minister

August 20, 2014 12:51 pm | Updated 12:51 pm IST - PANAJI

"With 60 per cent of the State under green cover, Goa is one of the few States in the country with a very healthy environment,” Goa Minister for Environment and Forests Alina Saldhana said on Tuesday.

She told the members of the Goa State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that in order to resolve the intricacies involved in private forest issue which is in existence since 1997, the government has already received a report on general management plan for the areas identified as private forests through an expert on the matter, Jayant Kulkarni from Pune.

The general management plan will be finalised by incorporating concessions to the owners of such properties, she said adding that the work of identification is also expedited so that there is clarity on the areas which are private forests.

On the issue of Western Ghats, the Minister has said that Mahadayi wildlife sanctuary with 208.48 square km is one of the six protected areas in Goa.

The Minister further said that the government has proposed to enlist the protected areas of the Western Ghats of Goa as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The same has been approved by the Government of India and has been forwarded to UNESCO for necessary decision.

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